| Echinopsis chiloensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Echinopsis |
| Species: | E. chiloensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Echinopsis chiloensis (Colla) Friedrich & G.D.Rowley | |
| Synonyms | |
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Echinopsis chiloensis is a species of cactus native to South America; genus members are known as hedgehog cacti, sea-urchin cactus or Easter lily cactus.
This species, E chiloensis, is tree-like with branching structures, straight, vigorous and up to 8 meters long. The shoots are cylindrical, 10 to 12 cm in diameter, and have 16 to 17 mostly low and wide ribs, usually low and wide. The glochids have bright yellow spines that later turn gray. The central spine is straight and is 4-7 (rarely up to 20) cm long. The radial spines of lateral emission are 8 to 12, and measure 1 to 2 cm or more. The funnel-shaped flowers are white and open during the day. They are up to 14 cm long. The fruits are spherical, green and edible. [2] An example occurrence is within the La Campana National Park in Chile. [3]
Echinopsis chiloensis is found from the north to the south of central Chile, where it grows in coastal areas as well as in valleys and foothills of the Andes at elevations up to 1800 meters. The species was first described as Cactus chiloensis and published in 1826 by Luigi Colla. After several recombinations, Heimo Friedrich and Gordon Douglas Rowley placed it in the genus Echinopsis in 1974. [4]
A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, a family comprising about 127 genera with some 1750 known species of the order Caryophyllales. The word "cactus" derives, through Latin, from the Ancient Greek κάκτος, kaktos, a name originally used by Theophrastus for a spiny plant whose identity is now not certain. Cacti occur in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Most cacti live in habitats subject to at least some drought. Many live in extremely dry environments, even being found in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on earth. Cacti show many adaptations to conserve water. Almost all cacti are succulents, meaning they have thickened, fleshy parts adapted to store water. Unlike many other succulents, the stem is the only part of most cacti where this vital process takes place. Most species of cacti have lost true leaves, retaining only spines, which are highly modified leaves. As well as defending against herbivores, spines help prevent water loss by reducing air flow close to the cactus and providing some shade. In the absence of leaves, enlarged stems carry out photosynthesis. Cacti are native to the Americas, ranging from Patagonia in the south to parts of western Canada in the north—except for Rhipsalis baccifera, which also grows in Africa and Sri Lanka.
Echinopsis is a large genus of cacti native to South America, sometimes known as hedgehog cactus, sea-urchin cactus or Easter lily cactus. One small species, E. chamaecereus, is known as the peanut cactus. The 128 species range from large and treelike types to small globose cacti. The name derives from echinos hedgehog or sea urchin, and opsis appearance, a reference to these plants' dense coverings of spines.
Echinopsis lageniformis, the Bolivian torch cactus, is a fast-growing columnar cactus from the high deserts of Bolivia. Among the indigenous populations of Bolivia, it is sometimes called achuma or wachuma, although these names are also applied to related species such as Echinopsis pachanoi which are also used for their psychedelic effects.
La Campana National Park is located in the Cordillera de la Costa, Quillota Province, in the Valparaíso Region of Chile. La Campana National Park and the Vizcachas Mountains lie northwest of Santiago. This national park covers approximately 80 square kilometres (31 sq mi) and is home to one of the last palm forests of Jubaea chilensis, which prehistorically had a much wider distribution than at present. Another attraction is the Cerro La Campana, which lends its name to the park. In 1834 Charles Darwin climbed this mountain, during the second voyage of HMS Beagle.
Echinopsis spachiana, commonly known as the golden torch, (white) torch cactus or golden column, is a species of cactus native to South America. Previously known as Trichocereus spachianus for many years, it is commonly cultivated as a pot or rockery plant worldwide. It has a columnar habit, with a lime-green cylindrical body with 1–2 cm long golden spines.
Beilschmiedia berteroana is a threatened evergreen tree in the family Lauraceae native to Chile at 35 to 37°S.
Beilschmiedia miersii, an evergreen tree in the Lauraceae native to central Chile from 30 to 35°S., up to 1200 meters (4000 ft) above sea level and lives under very dry conditions.
Echinopsis macrogona, syn. Trichocereus macrogonus, is a species of cactus found in Bolivia.
Echinopsis pachanoi — known as San Pedro cactus — is a fast-growing columnar cactus native to the Andes Mountains at 2,000–3,000 m (6,600–9,800 ft) in altitude. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru, and it is cultivated in other parts of the world. Uses for it include traditional medicine and traditional veterinary medicine, and it is widely grown as an ornamental cactus. It has been used for healing and religious divination in the Andes Mountains region for over 3,000 years. It is sometimes confused with its close relative Echinopsis peruviana.
The Chilean Matorral (NT1201) is a terrestrial ecoregion of central Chile, located on the west coast of South America. It is in the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome, part of the Neotropical realm.
Echinopsis schickendantzii is a cactus found in Northwestern Argentina in provinces of Salta and Tucumán at elevations of 1600 to 3200 meters.
Echinopsis chamaecereus is a species of cactus from Argentina. Synonyms include Chamaecereus silvestrii and Lobivia silvestrii. It has been called the "peanut cactus", This plant should not be confused with Echinopsis silvestrii, another species with a very different appearance.
Echinopsis mamillosa is a species of cactus from Bolivia.
Echinopsis candicans is a species of cactus from northern and western Argentina. It has large fragrant white flowers that open at night.
Rebutia minuscula is a species of cactus from northern Argentina. It is the type species of the genus Rebutia.
Echinopsis atacamensis (cardón) is a species of cactus from Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. The wood of this species can be used in building and in making furniture.
Browningia candelaris is a species of cactus from northern Chile and southern Peru. It has a distinctive growth habit, with a straight spiny trunk topped by more-or-less spineless thinner branches. In some places, the long-term survival of local populations may be threatened by grazing, which destroys seedlings.
Thelocactus setispinus, known commonly as miniature barrel cactus or hedgehog cactus, is a cactus in the genus Thelocactus of the family Cactaceae.
Echinopsis terscheckii, commonly known as the cardon grande cactus or Argentine saguaro, is a large cactus native to South America and popular in cultivation.
Echinopsis eyriesii is a species of cacti of the genus Echinopsis.
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